Textile mechanism



Dec. 19, 1933. E, J ABB T 1,940,477

I IEXTILE MECHAN I SM Filed July 5, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l mai in ii w Dec. 19, 1933. E. J, ABBOTT TEXTILE MECHANISM Filed July 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QM QR fiver 2:50 7' Patented Dec. 19, 1933 1,940,477 V TEXTILE MECHANISM Edward J.

Abbott, Wilton, N. H., assignor to Abbott Machine Company, Wilton, N. H., a corporation of New Hampshire Application July 3,1931. Serial No. 548,493

Claims;

This invention relates to textile devices, and more particularly to strand-engaging devices acting either to tension or brake, or to clamp textile strands which extend from supply-strand masses and is particularly concerned with the control and regulation of such devices. By way of example the present invention will be described as embodiedin warping apparatus wherein yarn is unwound from a large number of supply masses in a creel and rewound on a warp beam.

The principal object of this invention is to provide improved arrangements of such strand-.

engaging tensioning,.braking or clamping devices and their cooperating controlling instrumentalities. My invention utilizes as its preferred form of such tensioning, braking or clamping means, a

device described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 491,705, filed October 28,

1930, and provides in conjunction with such de- 2 vice improved controlling instrumentalities especially adapted to cooperate therewith. As applied to a creel my invention provides tensioning, braking or clamping devices for each strand adjacent to its supply mass, and provides an imcontrol or regulate each of the several devices. The controlling or regulating mechanism for these devices may be connected to or operated by any means responsive to some function'of the winding or unwinding of the strands or responsive to some incidentof thewinding operation, such as starting or stopping, or strand breakage or exhaustion. Examples of somesuitable detector devices adapted automatically to cause operation of the controlling mechanism of this invention are disclosed in my copending applications, Serial No. 548,491, Serial No. 548,492 and Serial No. 548,494 filed on the same day as this application. The present invention will however, be explained as arranged for manual control by the operator of a warper creel. Various advantages and features of novelty and utility will be apparent from this specification which describes one typical instance of the invention. I i

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a typical warper creel showing the application thereto of controlling mechanism according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the creel of Fig; l,

showing. also in diagrammatic view a portion of the warper with which the creel is associated;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 2, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 4is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig.3; w

proved arrangement of mechanism adapted to1 .M and drawn into the'warper.

(01. 28-35) v Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5- 5 of Fig. 3; 1

Fig. 6 is a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 3 and showing a single tension' device and its controlling. mechanism on a larger scale;

andshowing the tension device moved to a nontensioning position; 1

Fig. -8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-8 .of Fig. 6; 9-9 of Fig. '7; I

Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line 10--10 of i 6; i Fig. .11 1111of Fig.7; and

of device adapted to clamp the strand.

Referring'to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the illustrated creel is formed mainly of vertical angle irons 13 suitably connected by horizontal angle irons 14' and 15 to form a rigid framework having the outline, for example, shown in Fig. 1 and carrying; in any desired manner pins 16 (Fig. 5)

adapted to hold unwinding yarn massesM't. The yarn strands Y unwinding from these massesindividually pass through small porcelainguide 7 eyes 18 (Figs. 3 and 6) and from thence are guided through guide eyes 19,-carried by horizontal projecting brackets 20 (Figs. 4 and 5), in a converging path toward guide rolls 22 of the is a corresponding section on-the line .16 Fig. 7 is a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 6

. 113,5 Fig. 9 is a corresponding section on the line Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a modifiedform warper, generally indicated by the reference character 23 (Fig. 2).

simultaneously be unwound from the yarn masses Referring to Fig. 1, thecreel is preferably symmetrical with This arrangement issuch that a large number of strands of yarn may respect to a. central axis leading toward the warper so that unwinding strands of yarn lead from either side of the creel to the warper and so that the central portion of the creel is open to an operator who pieces up broken strands of yarn.

Suitable tensioning devices, applied to the individual strands of unwinding yarn, are shown as formed according tothe invention disclosed in my'copending application Serial No. 491,705.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 8, the tension device for a strand may comprise a pair of tension elements affording opposed friction surfaces, herein shown as a fixed vertical plate 25 fastened to an angle iron 13 of the creel, and a cooperating movable tension disk 26. Means is provided for yieldingly constraining the movable tension disk to move generally opposite tothe direction of moveerally opposite to the-direction of theyarn movement bymeans of an arm 28, pivotally mounted at 29 on the vertical angle iron 13, at an angle inclined or oblique to the friction surface of plate 25. The angle of inclination of this axis 29 is, as shown, such that when the disk 26 swings downwardly from the position of Figs. 7, '9 and 11 to the position of Figsnd, 8 and 16, the arm 28 forces the disk toward the plate. 25; This device thus applies a yielding tension to the moving yarn passing from the guide eye 18, and between the opposed friction surfaces of the disk and plate.

Preferably, as disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No. 4:91,?05, a ball and socket joint, comprising a ball 30 (Fig. 8) at the free end of the arm 28 and an annular enlargement 31 on the disk-'26, is provided so thatthe disk is capable of universal tilting with respect to the arm '28 and theplate 25, thus to apply an even tension to yarn engaged by the opposed friction surfaces of-the disk and plate. Iii-Figs. 6 and 10which show the normal position of the tension disk25 drictionally engaging the yarn, the yarnY is shown as passing between the disk and plate slightly-below the center of the disk. It will be understood that by virtue of the arrangement of the'arm ZS-yieldingly to constrain the disk 26 to move generally opposite to the direction of '--movement of the yarn, butconverging with the path of the yarn, the position of the disk'26 is 1 determined by the opposing forces of gravity acting upon this arm 28 and the disk, and the frictional drag of yarn passing between the disk and-plate. The parts as arranged, however, require but little movement of the disk 26 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in 'Fig. '6,

to relieve the pressure exerted by the disk sufliabove cop'ending applications. stances, however, manual control of clamps or eiently to allow knots and neps to pass between the disk andthe plate. The-described preferred anode of operation of thetension device; wherein the movements of the tension disk are in the general-direction of yarn travel and opposite thereto and in a path which converges with the line of 'yarn'travel, presents the advantage of a gradual application and relief of the yarn tension, thus tending to avoid breakagein the strands -particularly 'in the case of fine yarns.

Suitable mechanism adapted to operate in conjunction with these tension devices positively to relieve the pressure exerted by them on the yarn --is-shown as including vertical rotatable shafts 35 conveniently secured in the corner defined by the two flanges of the angleirons 13 by means of small clips 36, and'having at their upper ends crank arms 37. By way of example, suitable connections for turning these rotatable shafts may include a system of interconnected links-38 which extend along the top of the'creel and are connected by meansof cranks 39 (Figs. l and'2) to a rotatable'shaft seat the frontand top of the creel. The shaft ao may be rocked by means of a crank arm 41 and connecting rod 42; operated by any suitable actuating mechanism.

Examples of mechanism competent to actuate the above connections automatically are the various tension or speed responsive devices of the In certain intension devices is more desirable than'a purely afforded agreater; flexibility in running the creel than when these devices are controlled in a purelyautomatic manner. 7 Suitable manual controlling mechanism is herein shown as comprising a motor device in the form of .asolenoid 4'7, (Fig. 2) of which the movable core '48 is connected to the rod 42. The solenoid 47 is shown as manually controlled by a push-button switcha49within easy reach of the operator.

The operation of these connections is as follows:

Whenthesolenoidis energized, rod 42 is pulled down, thus pulling the system of links 38 to the right,.- aga i11st the action of springs 50, and turning each of the rods 35 to a position such as shown in'Fi-grfi. Upon deenerg-ization of the solenoid l7,

the-springs 50 move the links. 38 toward the rear ofthe creel thus turningthe rods 35 to positions such-as shown in Fig. 7

Upon each of the vertically mounted rotatable .shaf ts 35 and at a position opposite to the downwardly extending pivoted arm 28 of each tension deviceis provided: a rigidarm -45, preferably comprising apiece of -wire bent at right angles as shown in Figs; 8 an'd9. This-wire arm 45is fastened insuch-a position uponthe vertical shaft 35 that movement of the vertical shaftin a direction resulting-from energization of solenoidi-j swings thearm-45 from the position of Fig.8 to the position of Fig. 9. or, as viewed from the front, from the position-of Fig. 6170 the position of Fig. 7. During such'movem'ent the arm 45 contacts with andacting as a cam, swings the arm-28 of the tension device from the position-of Fig. 6 to the position of Fig. '7. Since the arm 28115 is mounted upon an axis oblique to the plane of the friction surface of the plate 25,

as described above, this swinging movement of the arm 28 'causesits free endto-move away from the plate '25 as will be observed'by comparison of Figs. l0 and 11; -'In-this latter-position (Fig. 11)

thetension di-sk26 is free of the strand of yarn Y, thus exerting nofrictional, tensioning orbraking effect thereon. I l

On the other'hand, by deenergizing the solenoid'47 tlie" rods'35 and arms 45 can be caused to swing to -'positions such as shown in Fig. 6. The swinging arms 28 which control the disks 26 are then freeto drop, allowing the disks 26 to ap- 'proach' their respectiveplates 25, engaging the strands -Y therebetween. Each disk 26 is then yielding'ly constrained to frictional engagement withits corresponding strand Y, yet is so held by the arm'28 that the strand Y can move the disk in -a direction to relieve excess tension as described above.

A contemplated mode of using the above apparatus is as-follows: While the warper is unwinding yarn from the creel, the manually-operable switch 49 is thrown to keep the solenoid energized and hence keep all-of the disks 26 free from the yarns. Y. The yarns'Y then run freely from their re spective supply masses M,-resisted only by the formation of the usual balloon caused by unwinding overend. When operation 'of the warper is' stoppedfithe operator then actuates the ,switch 49 todeenergizethe solenoid and cause the moving disks 26 to engage and hold their respective strands while the latter'are idle. mus engagement of the strands by their disks 26 thenserves =15 to hold each of the strands from sagging and kinking when accidentally touched or brushed by the operator in piecing up broken strands. Whenever it is desired, the operator can so time the throwing of the switch 49 as to cause the disks 26 to engage the strands while the latter are running at slow speeds, as in starting, the disks 26 then functioning as yarn-tensioning disks. Later when full speed is attained, the disks may be disengaged from the strands as described above.

While my invention has been described by way of example as embodied in a creel and'warper, many other applications of the invention to textile strand handling devices will be apparent. Furthermore, my present invention provides a novel mode of controlling the tension device described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 491,705, whereby to move and hold the tension device to a position wherein less than the normal tension will be exerted or alternatively to allow the movable tension element of the device to glide to a position wherein normal contact between the tension elements and the yarn is attained.

While I have illustrated herewith a preferred construction of devices adapted to be controlled in multiple by rotating parts such as a rod 35 and its pins 45, modifications and simplifications of these devices will readily be apparent. For example, in cases where it is desired merely to clamp the various strands while the latter are idle and no tensioning effect is desired, a clamp such as is shown in Fig. 12 may advantageously be employed.

Fig. 12 illustrates a form of clamp which may replace the friction disks 26 described above. In this figure, the guide eye 18, such as described above forms one element of the clamp adapted to hold the strand at a point near its supply mass.- For clamping the strand against the guide eye 18 there is provided a circular piece of metal 51 of about the same diameter as the outer diameter of the eye 18 and adapted to be forced against the strand Y which extends through the eye by means of a spring 52; this spring 52 preferably is secured at its upper end to the upright 13, as indicated at 54 and is adapted to bear at its lower end against the element 51. Element 51 is supported by spring 52, by any suitable connection, preferably a universal tilting connection which insures that element 51 will seat with certainty'on the strand which extends through the eye 18. As illustrated, the element 51 is connected to the spring 52 by a pin 55 fastened to elementfil; passing loosely through a hole 56 in spring 52, and headed at 58.

As in the previously described embodiment of the invention, a rotatable rod 35 is employed to operate a pluralityof strand-engaging devices. As shown in Fig. 12 this rod 35 carries a pin 45 extending behindspring 52 in position to engage therewith. Thus by rotating the several rods 35 in one direction, all of the springs 52 andtheir associated elements 51 may be forced outward away from their corresponding eyes 18; rotation of the rods 35 in the opposite direction permits the springs 52 to force their associated elements 51 against the several strands thus to hold them securely. Since the directions of rotation of the rods 35 are, in the device of Fig. 12, opposite to those of the device of the previously described embodiment, the crank arm 37 of this --modified mechanism is shown as extending in appended claims.

I claim:

1. Textile mechanism of the class described comprising a pair of elements affording opposed surfaces for frictionally engaging a strand, and

means for yieldingly constraining one of the elements to move generally opposite to the direction of movement of the strand in a path converging with the line of strand travel and approaching the other element, in combination with controlling means arranged to cause separation of said elements to relieve the tension applied to the strand.

2. Textile mechanism of the class described comprising a pair of elements affording opposed surfaces for frictionally engaging a strand, means for yieldingly constraining oneof the elements to move generally opposite tothe direction of movement of the yarn in a path converging with the line of yarn travel, and means for moving said last-named element in a reverse direction to relieve the tension applied by the device.

3. Textile mechanism of the class described comprising a movable disk and a member affording a friction surface adapted to cooperate with the disk frictionally to engage a strand therebetween, means including an arm operatively connected with the disk and pivotally mounted above the disk about an axis inclined with respect to the plane of the cooperating friction surface for yieldingly urging said disk toward the said friction surface in opposition to the drag of the yarn, and means for swinging the arm in the reverse direction to relieve the yarn from tensioning engagement by the disk.

4. Textile mechanism of the class described comprising a movable tension disk and a member affording a friction surface, said member and the disk being adapted to cooperate in pressing against yarn which travels therebetween, a pi otally mounted arm for constraining the disk to movement toward the tension member in a path generally opposite to the direction of yarn travel and converging therewith, and a rotatable. member disposed to contact with and swing the arm in the reverse direction to relieve the pressure of the disk upon the yarn.

5. Textile mechanism for creels and the like comprising pairs of opposed elements arranged frictionally to engage the respective strands in the creel adjacent to the supply masses thereof, vertical rotatable members each disposed adjacent to a plurality of pairs of said friction elements, means for rotating the several rotatable membersin unison, and operative connections between each rotatable member and one element of 7 

